Former MLA, brother arrested in spurious liquor case

Vijayawada: Former MLA Malladi Vishnu and his brother Malladi Srinivas were arrested late tonight by a Special Investigating Team (SIT) which is probing the death of five persons allegedly due to spurious liquor.

Vijayawada Commissioner of Police Goutam Sawang informed the media through a late night SMS that Vishnu, a Congress leader, and Srinivas had been arrested at 11.45 PM.

On December 7 last year, five persons died while 22 others were hospitalised after consuming liquor at Swarna Bar and Restaurant in Krishnalanka area, owned by Vishnu and his family members.

The Andhra Pradesh government had constituted an SIT to investigate the case. On Wednesday, the SIT had questioned him the entire day and allowed him to go home in the night. He was again called for questioning today which went on till late night, following which he was arrested.

Vishnu had earlier filed an anticipatory bail plea which was denied by the court.